Blind Muslim student uses guide horse instead of dog‎

Blind graduate student Mona Ramouni saved for three years to buy a guide horse because her strict Muslim parents consider dogs unclean. What considerations would you have to weigh when choosing an equine companion rather than a k-9?

Graduate student Mona Ramouni and her guide horse Cali head to class at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan on Oct. 20. Cali is just one of a handful of miniature horses in the United States known to be used as guide animals for the blind and is likely the first pony to attend college.

Mira Oberman / AFP - Getty Images

Graduate student Mona Ramouni and her guide horse Cali attend class at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan on Oct. 20.

Mira Oberman / AFP - Getty Images

Graduate student Mona Ramouni gets her guide horse Cali a drink of water during a break from class at Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan on Oct. 20.